Alix Nguefack from New Jersey Advocates for Immigrant Detainees and Scott Welfel from the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice testified at today’s Senate Law & Public Safety Committee hearing on Senator Turner’s (LD-15) bill to reduce prison and jail phone rates, S.1771. As amended it would eliminate kick backs to the state and counties (though the state has voluntarily ended its 41% commission as of Feb 2014). The counties continue to rake in 50% to 70% in commissions on the back of incarcerated people including immigrant detainees.

It was voted out of committee to the Senate floor.

Senator Turner’s press release here.